Phasing Out First Street Elementary
Background
During a special board meeting on June 10, 2025, the Board of Trustees explored potential ways to address growing enrollment in Western Placer USD. One of the options discussed includes gradually phasing out First Street Elementary and reassigning future students to Foskett Ranch and Creekside Oaks—two nearby schools with strong programs and added classroom space.
The Board held a Public Hearing on October 7, 2025 to gather feedback and input from the community. The Board took action on November 4, 2025 to approve the repurposing of the First Street campus for Glen Edwards expansion. The district has already begun assessments on the campus to determine when First Street will close and how that transition will take place. We will also be surveying families to determine the best transition model: all at once, a phased approach, or a combination of the two.
No change would occur before the 2027–2028 school year at the earliest.
Key Information
- There will be no changes to student attendance or staffing for the 2026–2027 school year.
- School will continue as it is today until at least the 2027–2028 school year.
- When the time comes, student attendance assignments will be as follows:
- Students residing north of 5th Street will attend Foskett Ranch Elementary.
- Students residing south of 5th Street will attend Creekside Oaks Elementary.
Our Commitments to Families
- Every child will have a spot at their new school.
- Siblings and families can stay together.
- Any changes to your child’s education will be communicated promptly and clearly.
- You will be supported through every step of this transition.
What Happens Next
November 2025 – February 2026
- Our facilities team will begin assessments at both Glen Edwards Middle School and First Street Elementary—working closely with contractors and architects to help us learn exactly how many classrooms are needed and when we will need them.
- While this work is in progress, we will draft surveys for families and staff, which we will send out after the holidays.
January – March 2026
- We will send surveys to families and staff. We will ask what is better for your family: moving all at once, slowly over time, or a mix of both.
- Survey results will guide our plan for the First Street campus. Your participation will be essential.
April – June 2026
- We will share survey results with families.
- We will create a plan for when and how students will move to their next school. This will include important programs like Special Education and GATE.
Why Was This Considered?
- WPUSD is growing rapidly, especially with 2,000 new homes expected in Village 1 and Village 7 in the next 6 years.
- WPUSD is nearing student capacity at both Twelve Bridges and Glen Edwards Middle Schools and must have a plan to accommodate the projected enrollment growth.
- First Street’s enrollment has declined over the years and remains low and Elementary schools nearby have space to accommodate students from First Street.
- First Street was built entirely portable and was never intended to be a long-term plan to provide education for elementary students. We are incredibly proud of the impact First Street has had on so many students, but the time is now upon us to make the difficult decision that was always looming.
- Repurposing First Street allows the district to expand middle school capacity at Glen Edwards Middle School, avoiding significant construction costs and saving taxpayer dollars.
